September 21, 2007

at Rocket Stadium


Quarterback J.D. Gray (14) finds a little room on the corner.

Rockets winless, but improving
MARION – Still winless, but improving.

That's the battle cry coming from Crittenden County's 35-14 loss to second-ranked Mayfield Friday at Rocket Stadium.

Despite being obviously overmatched by one of the best teams in Kentucky, Crittenden took advantage of five Cardinal turnovers to keep the game closer than most expected. Mayfield went ahead 35-0, scoring on five of its seven first-half possessions, then the Rocket defense closed the door.

One of Mayfield's three second-half turnovers led to the Rockets' first touchdown. Backup linebacker Seth Keene, a senior, collected the fumble and the offense went to work form near midfield. Crittenden scored five plays later including two runs of 25 and 22 yards by junior running back Rodney Robertson. Junior fullback Gaige Courtney got the TD on a three-yard pass from sophomore quarterback J.D. Gray.

Another Mayfield fumble set up Crittenden's last touchdown, a four-yard, fourth-quarter run by Robertson.

"We came out and competed in the second half," Rocket coach Al Starnes said.

However, the damaged had already been done and the Rockets fell to 0-5 on the season and 0-2 in Class A First District play.

Mayfield, playing with its third-string quarterback, freshman Luke Guhy, was unstoppable when the offense took care of the football. Guhy in his first start completed 12-of-15 passes for 217 yards. Six running backs chipped in 239 yards on the ground for the undefeated Cardinals.

The Rockets host Webster County in a non-district homecoming game next week.



Fullback Gaige Courtney (28) gets some blocking for a nice gain.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Mayfield............14....21.....0....0
Crittenden Co. ...0.....0......7.....7


SCORING PLAYS
M-Tyrese Murrell 3 run (Tommy McNutt kick) 7:57, 1st
M-Brent Simpkins 3 run (McNutt kick) 3:59, 1st
M-Gary Hall 19 pass from Luke Guhy (McNutt kick) 8:47, 2nd
M-Simpkins 1 run (McNutt kick) 3:54, 2nd
M-Jared McCuiston 21 pass from Guhy (McNutt kick) :53, 2nd
C-Gaige Courtney 3 pass from J.D. Gray (Jordan Martin kick) 1:15, 3rd
C-Rodney Robertson 4 run (Martin kick) 4:22, 4th


TEAM TOTALS
First Downs: Crittenden 7, Mayfield 19
Penalties: Crittenden 3-15, Mayfield 6-50
Rushing: Crittenden 36-132, Mayfield 39-239
Passing: Crittenden 3-8-1, 31 yds., Mayfield 12-15-1, 217 yds.
Total Yards: Crittenden 163, Mayfield 456
Fumbles/Lost Crittenden 0-0, Mayfield 4-4

INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing
Crittenden-Rodney Robertson 20-66, Gaige Courtney 10-38, J.D. Gray 6-28. Mayfield-Jarrod Noonan 4-30, Andy Trevarthen 5-35, Xavier Shelton 1-13, Tyrese Murrell 11-52, Brent Simpkins 7-43, DeCole Noonan 11-66.

Passing
Crittenden-Gray 3-8-1, 31 yds. Mayfield-Luke Guhy 12-15-1, 217 yds.

Receiving
Crittenden-Courtney 2-10, Robertson 1-21. Mayfield-Gary Hall 4-68, Shelton 3-69, McCuiston 5-80.

Defense CRobertson 4 solos, 12 assists; Ipock 9 assists, caused fumble; Thornton 2 assists; Freeman 2 solos, 7 assists; Pluskota 2 solos; Gray 6 solos, 5 assists, caused fumble, fumble recovery; Courtney 3 solos, 10 assists, TFL, caused fumble; Clark 5 assists; Wood solo, 4 assists; A.Berry 7 assists; Fritz 3 assists; McConnell 2 assists, interception; Urbanowski solo, assist, fumble recovery; Keene fumble recovery.

Players of the Game: Offense Rodney Robertson, Defense Gaige Courtney, Lineman Aaron Berry.

Records
Crittenden 0-5 (0-2), Mayfield 5-0 (2-0)